In which the dirty birds drive the van across the country, record an EP with Randy Frickin’ Jackson and live large in LA.

On the morning of March 15th, Jackson and Sasha and I left Brooklyn, driving the van west towards LA. Everyone else had flown. Somewhere shortly into our journey, driving through the armpit of New Jersey, we passed 70,000 miles. Let me remind you fine folks that we only bought this van one year ago. So, yeah. That’s a solid bit o’ traveling. We’re currently at, um.. Lemme see.. 73,830. ((UPDATE: We just passed 75,000 miles! Damn!))

That first day we made it to the eastern suburbs of Indianapolis, a corner of the Earth very similar to others we’ve seen countless times before. McDonalds and motels. Bleary eyed travelers of the Interstate. In the morning we ate biscuits and gravy served from a steaming hotplate in the lobby of the hotel, alongside other travelers getting ready to continue their own journeys. The biscuits and gravy were surprisingly delicious. We put a hurt upon the road that second day, made it all the way to Limon, Colorado, some 16 hours away, pulling into the Super 8 [...]]]> 3/15/13 – 3/30/13

In which the dirty birds drive the van across the country, record an EP with Randy Frickin’ Jackson and live large in LA.

On the morning of March 15^th, Jackson and Sasha and I left Brooklyn, driving the van west towards LA. Everyone else had flown. Somewhere shortly into our journey, driving through the armpit of New Jersey, we passed 70,000 miles. Let me remind you fine folks that we only bought this van one year ago. So, yeah. That’s a solid bit o’ traveling. We’re currently at, um.. Lemme see.. 73,830. ((UPDATE: We just passed 75,000 miles! Damn!))

75,000 is no joke for a year.

That first day we made it to the eastern suburbs of Indianapolis, a corner of the Earth very similar to others we’ve seen countless times before. McDonalds and motels. Bleary eyed travelers of the Interstate. In the morning we ate biscuits and gravy served from a steaming hotplate in the lobby of the hotel, alongside other travelers getting ready to continue their own journeys. The biscuits and gravy were surprisingly delicious. We put a hurt upon the road that second day, made it all the way to Limon, Colorado, some 16 hours away, pulling into the Super 8 motel in Limon at two or three in the morning. The lady working the late night shift could only smile and laugh at our obvious disorientation and general incompetence in that moment, the hours catching up to us all at once. Trying to think and say words that felt strange upon being released from our heads. In the morning, the same lady was still working at the desk. “It’s just what you do, I suppose,” she said.  “I’ll be done round four and then I can relax.” She asked me what we were doing, and I explained that we were a band driving our van and gear out West. “Ah,” she said wistfully. “I remember those days.” She smiled and closed her eyes, “Well, more specifically, I remember those days passing me by.”

The road.

At this point we had been driving down I-70 for so long, and had been making good time, so we decided “F— It” and took off south down a tiny state highway to go see some of Sasha’s friends in Albuquerque. Oh, and I should mention that it was St. Patrick’s Day. But first, leaving Limon, we drove past this huge state penitentiary. Throughout the vastness of Colorado there are peppered these max-level state and federal prisons. I was wondering what the inmates must think, to be caught and eventually transferred to this prison set in an endless wilderness, huge mountains looming in the distance. Wind blowing steadily across the high plains. Epic blue sky, clouds a thousand miles high. Beautiful, but of course they probably can’t see too much from inside the walls.

Leaving Limon

We stopped in a small town to refuel. Cowhands and old-time farmers. A man wearing a ten gallon cowboy hat with spurs on his boots who nodded and tipped his hat “Howdy” to me as he passed and then got in a twenty year old pickup truck with horse trailer, stained by the dust and wind. For some reason there were about twenty llamas standing silently by the road. Nearby, a large junk yard, metal crippled and rusting. There was a shuttered building marked Bait Shop. For Bait Emergencies, call…

Bait Emergency

We pulled into Albuquerque later that night, exhausted of course but happy to be hanging out and talking to people outside of the van. Being that it was St. Paddy’s Day, and that we’d just driven three long days, we threw down pretty hard. Leprechauns and gold coins and Guinness, a lot of it. Needless to say, it was a little extra hard to get up and leave in the morning, adding an epic hangover on top of the road-weariness. We caused a bit of a scene at a local café, trying to order, mostly just giggling. A woman came up after eyeballing us for a little while and said, “Are you a band?” “Why yes, mm, mam. Here, take a card.” “No!” (whispered, laughing), “then she’ll know who we are!” Somehow we made it Los Angeles by around midnight that night. We dropped Jackson off at cousin/sister Lauren’s house and then Sasha and I drove on to Mid-City, where the other guys were already set up at the house we’d be staying for the next 10 days. Parking, stumbling out of the van, unloading bags. I literally fell onto the ground as we walked in the door and lay there for some minutes just cackling maniacally. The exhaustion falling away like beads of sweat. It was a hallucinatory experience.

Let me take this moment to tell you about two of the most amazing, unique, warm, nigh-well angelic individuals alive upon this planet: Lara and Joe. Friends and former neighbors of Phil’s parents, they took us in, sheltered us, fed us (somehow didn’t get fed up with us), wined us, regaled us with stories, shared attentively in ours… pretty much were just the awesomest hosts imaginable. They live in an old, gigantic three story house that Joe (bonified handyman extraordinaire) maintains in vintage condition and style — old fixtures, furniture, appliances, etc. all in immaculate condition — complete with a lounge/game room on the third floor with foosball, bumper pool and pinball (vintage 70s, bells a’ringin). What?! Seriously, it’s like if we wrote some obscene fantasy about the perfect place to hole up while recording and magically it came true. So, damn. Thank you, universe, for creating Lara and Joe and letting us cross paths. Ryan, Brian, Phil, Sasha, Josh and I all stayed with them for 10 nights, and it was the frickin awesomest thing ever. (In case anyone’s wondering, Phil had the high pinball score of the week — 742,240 — hard-won on the night of his 33rd birthday no less!) At some point there developed upon the front lawn a serious game of cornhole.

A good day to be alive. Big shout out to Jordan Scannella for lovingly giving us these boards to take out on the road! You rock Jordan.

Oh and yeah, in between game nights and taco tours we made a record. But seriously, we cannot wait for everyone to hear this music! A four-song EP, masterfully produced by none other than Randy Jackson. What a pleasure it was working with him. He’s amazing, being both a seasoned veteran musician and elder statesman of the music (Randy’s first gig waaaaay back in the day was with Billy Cobham and John McGlaughlin, he picked up a bass for about three seconds and played with such conviction that it made my chest hurt), and also being so connected to the current scene and industry and whatnot. But most of all, he’s just so at home in the studio — his ears, his feel for music, his deep love and just his (totally relaxed) vibe. He knows how to coax that magical moment out of you, really sensitive and wise about the whole process and working with us individually and as a group. Also gotta give huge credit to Keith Gretlein, Randy’s (amazingly talented) engineer. The two of them working together is insane. Let me give you an example of their work process. We were listening back to a take. Randy, in the course of nodding his head, eyes closed, emitted a small “woo” at one point, and I noticed that Keith turned and wrote something down in his notepad. Later, like two days later, we were working on that song and Randy turned to Keith and said, “Wait, what was that one take, had that chorus that I liked,” and Keith looks at his notes and says, “Oh take 3, minute umm… there it is, here” presses play and there it is, THE FRICKIN “WOO” PART. He knew that “woo” meant Randy liked it and would want hear it again later. And this type of minimal, perfect back and forth was transpiring constantly. It’s clear that this is the product of countless hours in the studio together, late nights and hard work. Nothing is given in this line of work, nothing happens by itself and very little happens by accident. It was eye-opening.

Randy and Keith, keeping it real.

We just played our first shows in almost a month starting in San Diego, then continuing back to LA and then up to San Francisco. Alan Evans and his trio opened up for us at all three shows, the Monophonics and Fanny Franklin joined us at the Roxy. LA and San Francisco are always special because we have so many friends and family there, but it felt particularly rowdy this time. Ryan’s 30th birthday also fell at midnight during our SF set. Good times were had.

And one final aside: at the Roxy, a fan of ours came up to Randy and said (regarding the record), “Mr. Jackson, please don’t take the dirt out of it!” “Oh girl,” he said smiling broadly, “that’s the best part!”

Good to know our dirt is in good hands.

As always, thank you for taking this journey with us.

Yr friend,

Bram

Taking a bow at The Independent, SF

The EP recording process is a wrap! It’s an honor for us to have the legendary Randy Jackson producing our next EP. He’s been in rehearsals with us and behind the console the whole time. We can’t say enough about how much we’ve learned from him and what an inspiration he is to all of us (if you click on the link on his name you can read his Wikipedia page – you know him from American Idol, but did you know he played bass with everyone from Journey to Aretha Franklin, Mick Jagger to Herbie Hancock?). We’re listening to the rough rough mixes now and we’re really excited to get these tracks out there. Keep you posted.

March 2: Arleigh Kincheloe, the front woman of the soul-funk act Sister Sparrow & the Dirty Birds, presides over eight musicians with smoldering intensity, and her body language is as sly and stirring as her bluesy voice. The backup players, all of whom are male and some of whom are related to her, deliver brass-heavy, jazzed-up grooves. The opening act, Yo Mama’s Big Fat Booty Band, dishes out impeccable funk with a cheeky spin.

Read more: http://www.newyorker.com/arts/events/nightlife/sister-sparrow-and-the-dirty-birds-bowery-ballroom#ixzz2LrWwMKDh

Tickets are going fast – grab ‘em here http://bit.ly/boweryssdb – and we’ll see you on the dancer floor. Can’t wait to play another hometown show!

Check out the full lineup… don’t think we need to say anything more — you know you want to join us! Go grab ‘em at www.fireflyfestival.com

Tue Apr 16: Pittsburgh, PA – Mr. Smalls
Wed Apr 17: Detroit, MI – St. Andrew’s Hall
Thu Apr 18: Columbus, OH – Newport Music Hall
Sat Apr 20: Washington, DC – 9:30 Club

We’re comin’ to VEGAS! Tickets now onsale for the Sin City Soul & Blues Revival festival on September 15th. We’re honored to be part of a killer lineup: Tedeschi-Trucks Band, Tab Benoit, Los Lonely Boys, Orgone, Monophonics, and lots more.

Head on over to www.sincitysoulandbluesrevival.com – there’s a 30% pre-sale discount right now.

Dirty Birds in Sin City? You know that means it’s gonna be party to rival any other…

UPCOMING SHOWS

Feb 7: Baltimore, MD – The 8×10 – Tickets
Feb 8: Washington, DC – The Hamilton – Tickets
Feb 9: Norfolk, VA – The Attucks Theatre – Discovery Music Series – Tickets
Feb 12: Charlotte, NC – The Visulite Theatre w/ Wheeler Brothers – Tickets
Feb 13: Charleston, SC – The Pour House w/ New Mastersounds – Tickets
Feb 14: Atlanta, GA – Vinyl w/ Wheeler Brothers – Tickets
Feb 15: Tampa, FL – The Orpheum w/ Lions After Dark & Jahguar – Tickets
Feb 16: Miami, FL – Tobacco Road – Swamp Stomp w/ Fishbone – Tickets
Feb 19: New Orleans, LA – The Howlin’ Wolf (New Orleans) – Tickets
Feb 20: Birmingham, AL – Workplay Theatre – Tickets
Feb 21: Chattanooga, TN – Rhythm and Brews w/ Yo Mama’s Big Fat Booty Band – [...]]]> We’re getting ready to hit the road again on Thursday – kicking it off in Baltimore (of all places!) at the 8×10. Looking forward to seeing a bunch of happy Ravens fans ready to keep the celebration going. See y’all out there!

UPCOMING SHOWS

Feb 7: Baltimore, MD – The 8×10 – Tickets
Feb 8: Washington, DC – The Hamilton – Tickets
Feb 9: Norfolk, VA – The Attucks Theatre – Discovery Music Series – Tickets
Feb 12: Charlotte, NC – The Visulite Theatre w/ Wheeler Brothers – Tickets
Feb 13: Charleston, SC – The Pour House w/ New Mastersounds – Tickets
Feb 14: Atlanta, GA – Vinyl w/ Wheeler Brothers – Tickets
Feb 15: Tampa, FL – The Orpheum w/ Lions After Dark & Jahguar – Tickets
Feb 16: Miami, FL – Tobacco Road – Swamp Stomp w/ Fishbone – Tickets
Feb 19: New Orleans, LA – The Howlin’ Wolf (New Orleans) – Tickets
Feb 20: Birmingham, AL – Workplay Theatre – Tickets
Feb 21: Chattanooga, TN – Rhythm and Brews w/ Yo Mama’s Big Fat Booty Band – Tickets
Feb 22: Nashville, TN – Mercy Lounge- w/ Yo Mama’s Big Fat Booty Band – Tickets
Feb 23: Asheville, NC – Grey Eagle w/ Yo Mama’s Big Fat Booty Band – Tickets
Feb 28: Norfolk, CT – Infinity Music Hall – Tickets
Mar 2: New York, NY – Bowery Ballroom w/ Yo Mama’s Big Fat Booty Band – Tickets
Mar 7: Philadelphia, PA – World Cafe Live- Downstairs – Tickets
Mar 9: Quincy, MA – South Shore Music Hall w/ Sly-Chi
]]> http://www.sistersparrow.com/2013/02/04/east-coast-tour-starts-thursday-in-victorious-baltimore/feed/ 0 http://www.sistersparrow.com/2013/02/04/ssdb-tour-blog-episode-20-new-beginnings-and-also-wolves/ http://www.sistersparrow.com/2013/02/04/ssdb-tour-blog-episode-20-new-beginnings-and-also-wolves/#comments Mon, 04 Feb 2013 17:30:03 +0000 Bram http://www.sistersparrow.com/?p=1284 12/29/12 – 2/1/13
In which the dirty birds play The Beacon, share the stage with Warren Haynes, say goodbye to three original members and get lost in and around a casino.

So hey there. It’s been some time since we last wrote. Many great things have transpired since then, such as the fact that we finished off 2012 playing Tower Theater in Philly and The Beacon Theater in NYC with Gov’t Mule. It was one of those moments that I am sure will stick with us forever. Here’s some video footage of Warren sitting in with us on Roadhouse Blues.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSdjgzHj8Hs

Then, the night after the Beacon show, we played a surprise, secret New Year’s Eve show at our old haunt Rockwood Music Hall Stage 2. Once again, our fans proved that they are some of the best, most passionate fans out there. The show sold out before it was even officially announced (which, according to Ken Rockwood, is the first and only time that has ever happened at his esteemed venue). So, thank you all! It was a bit of a bittersweet moment however, as it was the last time we’d have three of our [...]]]> 12/29/12 – 2/1/13
In which the dirty birds play The Beacon, share the stage with Warren Haynes, say goodbye to three original members and get lost in and around a casino.

So hey there. It’s been some time since we last wrote. Many great things have transpired since then, such as the fact that we finished off 2012 playing Tower Theater in Philly and The Beacon Theater in NYC with Gov’t Mule. It was one of those moments that I am sure will stick with us forever. Here’s some video footage of Warren sitting in with us on Roadhouse Blues.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSdjgzHj8Hs

Then, the night after the Beacon show, we played a surprise, secret New Year’s Eve show at our old haunt Rockwood Music Hall Stage 2. Once again, our fans proved that they are some of the best, most passionate fans out there. The show sold out before it was even officially announced (which, according to Ken Rockwood, is the first and only time that has ever happened at his esteemed venue). So, thank you all! It was a bit of a bittersweet moment however, as it was the last time we’d have three of our original members onstage with us: JJ, Johnny and Aidan, all of whom had been with us since those crazy epic early nights right next door at Rockwood Stage 1, had decided after the last tour to pursue other projects in 2013. When you think about it, it’s amazing we had made it that far with almost no turnover in such a large band (Phil joined us right before we hit the road for real in March of 2011), but that doesn’t make it any easier to move on without them. The band has always been as much a collection of personalities as musicians, and their energy will be missed. I just want to say that we love and respect them all so, so much, and wish them great success in all their endeavors. And as much as they will be missed as members of the Dirty Birds, this is in no way the end of our relationships with them. I mean, shit, I’ve known JJ since meeting him at band camp in the summers between fifth and sixth grade, Ryan and Johnny met in college, so much history… And all of us have our shared experiences from the past four years that will live on and transcend everything. Moments of joy and clarity and so much love. The adventure of the road. Whatever the future may hold for us and them, they will always be a part of our story.

One of our very first shows, in Ryan's old basement.

Chirping in the early days.

However, the show must go on, and so with an eye towards the ever brightening future, we’re pleased and delighted to introduce y’all to the newest members of team Dirty Bird: Josh Myers and Brian Graham. I’ve known Josh for many years, first playing together in Ryan’s band Pull (along with Sasha and Johnny) and then other projects over the years. When we all got together and started brainstorming, thinking of who (in a perfect world) we would get to play bass in our band, the answer was clearly, without a doubt, Josh Myers. Brian Graham is a beastly baritone saxophone player from Portland, Maine. Ryan first met Brian a few years ago playing in some sort of dysfunctional wedding band (coincidentally, Brian took over from Johnny in that band too!) and strongly recommended him as someone who could come in and nail the horn parts right away. He also works with and helps lead the bands Sly-Chi and The Fogcutters up in Portland. Anyway both of these guys are super legit, great musicians and people, and walked right into our crazy scene with grace, professionalism and humor. After some well deserved time off, we holed up in a rehearsal studio for three full days relearning and rearranging all the music, and then went up and played two nights at the Fairfield Theater Company. After the second (sold out) night, we were carved out of stone:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-TcEh4LihM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3AfzZ1PrKQ

After another week off, we played the Mohegan Sun Casino this past Friday at one of their venues called ‘The Wolf Den.’ Which, as it turned out, was literally sculpted to look like a cave that might be home to a pack of wolves. Totally surreal. There were these life-like wolves perched high upon the fake rocks, and every now and then they’d turn their damn heads and give you the hunger stare, look straight into your soul, and literally howl. After the show, we were whisked away by the friendly casino manager people over to take a 360 degree picture in some sort of crazy future machine and then taken and treated like VIPs at a nightclub called the Vista Club (high above the casino floor built in a fake rock outcropping made of stained glass and steel) where we partied away the night in style. Totally, utterly surreal. Here’s a series of pictures from the night.

This montage obviously taken by the kind photographer at Mohegan Sun and not myself..

Den of Wolves.

This tree apparently cost them a cool $1Million dollars.

Glass rock outcropping looking up at the recreation of the heavens.

The sun rising the next morning.

Sooooo, yeah. That’s what happened. It involved lots of dazed wandering through the casino lights (that place is a maze), viking-horned hats that lit up, and dancing. Thanks for the memories Mohegan Sun! Seriously, we had a blast. Hopefully we’ll come back and do it all over again sometime!

Apart from that, all I can say is WE WILL SEE YOU SOON, WE ARE COMING TO ROCK YOUR WORLDS! And as always, thank you for taking this journey with us!

And lastly, this: (It’s really all about the floppy wrists. And Bjork. And driving through Brooklyn confusing people…)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gaGuBx2Ymks

Yr friend,

Bram

Damn birds dirtied up the dirty bird van in the Mohegan Sun parking lot.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSdjgzHj8Hs

PS Special thanks to Scott Gibson for the video!